The Persian and Turki verses on this page from a royal Mughal album are signed by its calligrapher, Mir 'Ali, and were probably done in Bukhara in the 1530s. The calligraphy came into the Mughal library and was illuminated by the court artist Daulat, who was in service to the emperor Jahangir (r. 1605-1627). He signed his work, which was probably done in the court atelier at Agra between about 1610 and 1615, in minuscule lettering on the gold ground within the borders at lower left. The panel must have been inherited by Jahangir's son, Shah Jahan, on his accession in 1628 and was incorporated into one of his albums, as demonstrated by the floral borders in a style which is typical of his reign.
The folio which has a portrait of Shah Jahan riding a horse in a landscape on the other side belonged to one of his albums. It was dismembered at an unknown date, and consigned with other folios for sale at Sotheby's, London, in 1925. The lot was described as the property of "a Nobleman", known at the time to have been Lord Minto.

Physical description

Album page of calligraphy signed by Mir 'Ali, illuminated with flowers over gold by Daulat who signed his work at the bottom of the panel, mounted within borders of flowering plants added during the reign of Shah Jahan.

Place of Origin

Mughal Empire (made)

Date

first half 17th century (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown

Materials and Techniques

Painted in opaque watercolour and gold on paper

Dimensions

Object history note

Page from an album assembled during the reign of Shah Jahan, incorporating a panel of 16th century calligraphy done in Bukhara by Mir Ali, illuminated by Jahangir's artist Daulat, who signed his work at the bottom of the calligraphic panel.

Descriptive line

Panel of calligraphy in horizontal lines, with interlinear illumination of flowers in opaque watercolour and gold on paper, borders and decoration Mughal, first half 17th century